Multi-spectrum access node

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for managing a network are disclosed. In an aspect, a method can comprise receiving first information by an access node of a premises network via a first radio frequency band. At least a portion of the first information can be transmitted via a second radio frequency band to a gateway node of the premises network. Second information can be received from the gateway node via the second radio frequency band. At least a portion of the second information can be transmitted via the first radio frequency band to a source of the first information.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent Ser. No. 16/705,006,filed Dec. 5, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/542,139, filed Nov. 14, 2014, now U.S. patent Ser. No.10,541,744, which are each hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND

A network such as a local area network can comprise an access point (AP)to provide a means for one or more user devices to communicate withand/or over the network. An access point can comprise a device thatallows wired and/or wireless user devices to connect to a wired networkusing Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or other standards or protocols. An access pointcan be configured to provide access to one or more services (e.g.,network-related services via a private network or public network). Oneor more access points can be deployed to provide an in-premises wirelessnetwork, such as a residential or business network environment.

SUMMARY

It is to be understood that both the following general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory onlyand are not restrictive. In-premises wireless networks often haveunreliable signal coverage due to signal attenuation and blockage frominternal structures, such as walls. These and other shortcomings areaddressed by the present disclosure.

In an aspect, a method can comprise receiving or accessing firstinformation by an access node of a premises network. The firstinformation can be received or accessed via a first radio frequencyband. The access node facilitates access to a second network by a sourceof the first information. At least a portion of the first informationcan be transmitted via a second radio frequency band to a gateway nodeof the premises network. The second radio frequency band can bedifferent from the first radio frequency band. The gateway node can bein communication with the second network and can be configured totransmit at least the portion of the first information to the secondnetwork. Second information can be received from the gateway node viathe second radio frequency band. At least a portion of the secondinformation can be sourced from the second network. At least a portionof the second information can be transmitted to a source of the firstinformation via the first radio frequency band.

In another aspect, an access node can comprise a housing having a firstface disposed opposite a second face, a first phased array antennadisposed adjacent the first face, and a first planar antenna arraydisposed adjacent a third face between the first face and the secondface. A processor can be disposed in the housing and configured tomanage one or more radio frequency signals transmitted and received bythe first phased array antenna and the first planar antenna array.

In yet another aspect, a method can comprise receiving first informationby a first access network node of a plurality of access nodes configuredin a mesh network. The first information can be received via a firstradio frequency band. At least a portion of the first information can betransmitted via a directional transmission in a second radio frequencyband to a gateway node of the mesh network. Interference affecting thedirectional transmission can be detected. The directional transmissioncan be adjusted to reduce the effect of the detected interference on thetransmission of at least the portion of the first information.

Additional advantages will be set forth in part in the description whichfollows or may be learned by practice. The advantages will be realizedand attained by means of the elements and combinations particularlypointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both theforegoing general description and the following detailed description areexemplary and explanatory only.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments and together with thedescription, serve to explain the principles of the methods and systems:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example system and network;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example system and network;

FIG. 3A is a diagrammatic side perspective view of an example node;

FIG. 3B is a diagrammatic front perspective view of the node of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C is a block diagram of the node of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A is a diagrammatic front perspective view of the node of FIG. 3Ashowing a first transmission pattern;

FIG. 4B is a diagrammatic front perspective view of the node of FIG. 3Ashowing a second transmission pattern;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of an example method;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of an example method;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of an example method; and

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an example computer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The methods and systems described herein, in one aspect, can provideservices (e.g., network access, broadband services, etc.) to one or moreuser devices or clients. As an example, one or more nodes, such as anaccess node and/or a gateway node, can be deployed in a premises (e.g.,home, business, building, enclosure, etc.) to form at least part of afirst network such as a wireless local area network. The access nodescan comprise a mobile form factor and can be configured in variouspositions throughout the premises to form a mesh network. The gatewaynode can be configured as a node of the mesh network and to serve as agateway between the mesh network formed by the access nodes and a secondnetwork such as a wide area network (e.g., Internet). Wirelesscommunication between a user device and the access nodes can be providedusing a first radio frequency band (e.g., 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) and canimplement a wireless communication protocol such as 802.11n/ac. Theaccess nodes can be configured to communicate with each other and/orwith the gateway nodes over a second radio frequency band (e.g., 60 GHz,extremely high frequency (EHF), millimeter wavelength) to form a meshbackhaul and can leverage mesh network communication protocols such as802.11s to automatically interconnect multiple access nodes. As such,wireless network coverage of the premises can be maximized and capacityon multiple radio frequency bands can be leveraged to manage networktraffic.

In one aspect of the disclosure, a system can be configured to provideservices such as network-related services. FIG. 1 illustrates variousaspects of an exemplary environment in which the present methods andsystems can operate. The present disclosure is relevant to systems andmethods for providing services to a user device, for example. Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that present methods may be used invarious types of networks and systems that employ both digital andanalog equipment. One skilled in the art will appreciate that providedherein is a functional description and that the respective functions canbe performed by software, hardware, or a combination of software andhardware.

The network and system can comprise a user device 102 in communicationwith a computing device 104 such as a server, for example. The computingdevice 104 can be disposed locally or remotely relative to the userdevice 102. As an example, the user device 102 and the computing device104 can be in communication via a private and/or public network 105 suchas the Internet or other networks (e.g., wide area networks). Otherforms of communications can be used such as wired and wirelesstelecommunication channels, for example.

In an aspect, the user device 102 can be an electronic device such as acomputer, a smartphone, a laptop, a tablet, a set top box, a displaydevice, or other device capable of communicating with the computingdevice 104. As an example, the user device 102 can comprise acommunication element 106 for providing an interface to a user tointeract with the user device 102 and/or the computing device 104. Thecommunication element 106 can be any interface for presentinginformation to the user and receiving a user feedback such as aapplication client or a web browser (e.g., Internet Explorer, MozillaFirefox, Google Chrome, Safari, or the like). Other software, hardware,and/or interfaces can be used to provide communication between the userand one or more of the user device 102 and the computing device 104. Asan example, the communication element 106 can request or query variousfiles from a local source and/or a remote source. As a further example,the communication element 106 can transmit data to a local or remotedevice such as the computing device 104.

In an aspect, the user device 102 can be associated with a useridentifier or device identifier 108. As an example, the deviceidentifier 108 can be any identifier, token, character, string, or thelike, for differentiating one user or user device (e.g., user device102) from another user or user device. In a further aspect, the deviceidentifier 108 can identify a user or user device as belonging to aparticular class of users or user devices. As a further example, thedevice identifier 108 can comprise information relating to the userdevice such as a manufacturer, a model or type of device, a serviceprovider associated with the user device 102, a state of the user device102, a locator, and/or a label or classifier. Other information can berepresented by the device identifier 108.

In an aspect, the device identifier 108 can comprise an address element110 and a service element 112. In an aspect, the address element 110 canbe an internet protocol address, a MAC address, a network address, anInternet address, or the like. As an example, the address element 110can be relied upon to establish a communication session between the userdevice 102 and the computing device 104 or other devices and/ornetworks. As a further example, the address element 110 can be used asan identifier or locator of the user device 102. In an aspect, theaddress element 110 can be persistent for a particular network and/orlocation.

In an aspect, the service element 112 can comprise an identification ofa service provider associated with the user device 102 and/or with theclass of user device 102. As an example, the service element 112 cancomprise information relating to or provided by a communication serviceprovider (e.g., Internet service provider) that is providing or enablingcommunication services to the user device 102. As a further example, theservice element 112 can comprise information relating to a preferredservice provider for one or more particular services relating to theuser device 102. In an aspect, the address element 110 can be used toidentify or retrieve the service element 112, or vice versa. As afurther example, one or more of the address element 110 and the serviceelement 112 can be stored remotely from the user device 102 andretrieved by one or more devices such as the user device 102 and thecomputing device 104. Other information can be represented by theservice element 112.

In an aspect, the computing device 104 can be a server for communicatingwith the user device 102. As an example, the computing device 104 cancommunicate with the user device 102 for providing services. In anaspect, the computing device 104 can allow the user device 102 tointeract with remote resources such as data, devices, and files. As anexample, the computing device can be configured as central location(e.g., a headend, or processing facility), which can receive content(e.g., data, input programming) from multiple sources. The computingdevice 104 can combine the content from the various sources and candistribute the content to user (e.g., subscriber) locations via adistribution system.

In an aspect, the computing device 104 can manage the communicationbetween the user device 102 and a database 114 for sending and receivingdata therebetween. As an example, the database 114 can store a pluralityof data sets (e.g., mapped identifiers, relational tables, user deviceidentifiers (e.g., identifier 108) or records, network deviceidentifiers (e.g., identifier 118), or other information. As a furtherexample, the user device 102 can request and/or retrieve a file from thedatabase 114. In an aspect, the database 114 can store informationrelating to the user device 102 such as the address element 110 and/orthe service element 112. As an example, the computing device 104 canobtain the device identifier 108 from the user device 102 and retrieveinformation from the database 114 such as the address element 110 and/orthe service elements 112. As another example, the computing device 104can obtain the address element 110 from the user device 102 and canretrieve the service element 112 from the database 114, or vice versa.As a further example, the computing device 104 can obtain a MAC addressfrom the user device 102 and can retrieve a local IP address from thedatabase 114. As such, the local IP address can be provisioned to theuser device 102, for example, as the address element 110 to facilitateinteraction between the user device 102 and a network (e.g., LAN). Anyinformation can be stored in and retrieved from the database 114. Thedatabase 114 can be disposed remotely from the computing device 104 andaccessed via direct or indirect connection. The database 114 can beintegrated with the computing device 104 or some other device or system.

In an aspect, one or more nodes 116 a, 116 b, 116 c can be configured asat least part of a network 117. The network 117 can be configured as amesh network. Each of the nodes 116 a, 116 b, 116 c can communicate witheach other via wired or wireless communication. As an example, one ormore of the nodes 116 a, 116 b, 116 c can communicate with eachwirelessly via a radio frequency band (e.g., 60 GHz). As anotherexample, one or more of the nodes 116 a, 116 b, 116 c can be incommunication with another network such as the network 105. As anexample, one or more of the nodes 116 a, 116 b, 116 c can facilitate theconnection of a device, such as user device 102, to the network 105. Asa further example, a node 116 c can be configured as a network gatewaynode to facilitate communication between the network 117 and the network105. Any of the nodes 116 a, 116 b, 116 c can be configured as a gatewaynode. One or more nodes 116 a, 116 b, 116 c can be configured as anaccess node to allow one or more wireless devices (e.g., user device102) to join network 117 using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or similar standard. Asan example, the user device 102 can communicate with one or more nodes116 a, 116 b, 116 c wirelessly via a radio frequency band (e.g., 2.4GHz, 5 GHz, etc.).

In an aspect, one or more nodes 116 a, 116 b, 116 c can comprise anidentifier 118. As an example, one or more identifiers can be a mediaaccess control address (MAC address). As a further example, one or moreidentifiers 118 can be a unique identifier for facilitatingcommunications on the physical network segment. In an aspect, each ofthe nodes 116 a, 116 b, 116 c can comprise a distinct identifier 118. Asan example, the identifiers 118 can be associated with a physicallocation of the nodes 116 a, 116 b, 116 c.

In an aspect, a beacon 120 can be transmitted (e.g., wirelessly) by oneor more nodes 116 a, 116 b, 116 c. The beacon 120 can comprise one ormore beacon frames. The beacon 120 can comprise information tofacilitate a connection between the user device 102 and the nodes 116 a,116 b, 116 c. The beacon 120 can be broadcast via a first radiofrequency band (e.g., 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, etc.) to be discovered by the userdevice 102, when the user device 102 is within a particular range. Oncethe user device 102 discovers the beacon 120, the user device 102 canjoin the network 117, for example, by completing an authenticationoperation or hand-shaking operation. The user device 102 can thencontinue to transmit and receive data over the first radio frequencyband. In certain aspects, the data transmitted by the user device 102can be intended for another network (e.g., network 105) or a destinationoutside of the network 117. As such, the nodes 116 a, 116 b, 116 c canpass the data received by the user device 102 through the network 117 toa destination outside of network 117, such as network 105. Communicationbetween the nodes 116 a, 116 b, 116 c can be via a second radiofrequency band (e.g., EHF, 60 GHz), different from the first radiofrequency band. As another example, the nodes 116 a, 116 b, 116 c cancommunicate with each other using directional beamforming, as describedin more detail herein.

FIG. 2 depicts a plurality of access nodes 200 a, 200 b, 200 c, 200 d,configured as a wireless mesh network, for example, with each other anda gateway node 202. The wireless mesh network can be deployed at apremises 204 such as an enclosure, home, business, or building, anoutdoor area, etc. Other deployments can be used. In an aspect, one ormore of the nodes 116 a, 116 b, 116 c (FIG. 1) can be configured tooperate as the access nodes 200 a, 200 b, 200 c, 200 d to provide anaccess point for a wireless device such as user device 102 to connect tothe network 105. In an aspect, one or more of the nodes 116 a, 116 b,116 c (FIG. 1) can be configured to operate as the gateway node 202 toprovide communication between the network 105 and the access nodes 200a, 200 b, 200 c, 200 d. As an example, the user device 102 can beconfigured to communicate with one or more access nodes 200 a, 200 b,200 c, 200 d wirelessly via a first radio frequency band (e.g., 2.4 GHz,5 GHz, etc.). The user device 102 can then continue to transmit andreceive data over the first radio frequency band. In certain aspects,the data transmitted by the user device 102 can be intended for network105. As such, the access nodes 200 a, 200 b, 200 c, 200 d can pass thedata (e.g., payload intended for network 105) received by the userdevice 102 to the gateway node 202, which can pass the data to thenetwork 105.

The access nodes 200 a, 200 b, 200 c, 200 d can communicate data betweeneach other via a second radio frequency band (e.g., EHF, 60 GHz),different from the first radio frequency band. The access nodes 200 a,200 b, 200 c, 200 d can also communicate with the gateway node 202 viathe second radio frequency band. For example, then data is received fromthe user device 102 via the first radio frequency band, the receivingone of the access nodes 200 a, 200 b, 200 c, 200 d can wrap the datawith information (e.g., header) to facilitate proper routing to theother access nodes 200 a, 200 b, 200 c, 200 d and/or the gateway node202. Such information can be unique to the backhaul routing of data tothe gateway node 202 and can be exclusively transmitted via the secondfrequency band. Other information, such as command and controlinformation, can be transmitted via the second frequency band betweenthe access nodes 200 a, 200 b, 200 c, 200 d and/or the gateway node 202to manage the backhaul communications and routing of payload data. In anaspect, the communication via the second frequency band can bedirectional communication, such as through beamforming techniques usinga phased array antenna. As an example, each of the access nodes 200 a,200 b, 200 c, 200 d and the gateway node 202 can be configured totransmit and/or receive radio signals via directional transmission(e.g., beam(s), signal(s), etc.). Such a transmission can be directed tominimize signal interference, for example, by physical barriers such aswalls, moving objects or people, and/or signal inferences.

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate an example node 300 according to an aspect of thepresent disclosure. One or more of the nodes 116 a, 116 b, 116 c(FIG. 1) can be configured as the node 300. One or more of the nodes 300can be configured as a mesh network, for example an in-premises network.Other configurations and networks can make use of the node 300. The node300 can comprise a housing 302 having a plurality of faces 304 (shown as304 a-304 f). As an example, the housing 302 can have a portable (e.g.,relocatable) form factor and can be disposed in various positionsthroughout a premises. As a further example, the housing 302 can have acubical shape with the faces 304 disposed opposite one another. Othershapes and configurations can be used and can include any number offaces.

The node 300 can comprise a first planar antenna array 306 a. The firstplanar antenna array 306 a can be disposed adjacent the first face 304 aof the housing 302. The first planar antenna array 306 a can beconfigured to transmit and receive radio frequency signals within afirst radio frequency band. As an example, the first planar antennaarray 306 a can be configured to transmit and receive radio frequencysignals at about 2.4 GHz or about 5 GHZ, such as in accordance with the802.11n/ac protocols. As a further example, a first radio 307 a can bedisposed in the housing 302 and in communication with the first planarantenna array 306 a. The first radio 307 a can be configured to causetransmission of a radio frequency signal via the first planar antennaarray 306 a in a frequency band comprising about 2.4 GHz or about 5 GHZ.

The node 300 can comprise a second planar antenna array 306 b. Thesecond planar antenna array 306 b can be disposed adjacent a second face304 b of the housing 302. The second face 304 b can be adjacent thefirst face 304 a. However, other configurations can be used. The secondplanar antenna array 306 b can be configured to transmit and receiveradio frequency signals within a first radio frequency band. As anexample, the second planar antenna array 306 b can be configured totransmit and receive radio frequency signals at about 2.4 GHz or about 5GHZ. As a further example, a second radio 307 b can be disposed in thehousing 302 and in communication with the second planar antenna array306 b. The second radio 307 b can be configured to cause transmission ofa radio frequency signal via the second planar antenna array 306 b in afrequency band comprising about 2.4 GHz or about 5 GHZ. The first radio307 a and the second radio 307 b can manage the same or different radiofrequencies or frequency bands. As an example, the first radio 307 a canfacilitate transmission and reception of radio signals via the firstplanar antenna array 306 a at about 2.4 GHz and the second radio 307 bcan facilitate transmission and reception of radio signals via thesecond planar antenna array 306 b at about 5 GHz. Other frequencies andconfigurations of the node can be used.

The node 300 can comprise a first phased array antenna 308 a. The firstphased array antenna 308 a can be disposed adjacent a third face 304 cof the housing 302. The third face 304 c can be disposed adjacent one orboth of the first face 304 a and the second face 304 b of the housing302. Other facial configurations can be used. The first phased arrayantenna 308 a can be configured to transmit and receive radio frequencysignals within a second radio frequency band. The second radio frequencyband can be the same or different from the first radio frequency band.As an example, the first phased array antenna 308 a can be configured totransmit and receive radio frequency signals at extremely high frequency(EHF) bands, such as a band including about 60 GHz. As a furtherexample, a third radio 307 c can be disposed in the housing 302 and incommunication with the first phased array antenna 308 a. The third radio307 c can be configured to cause transmission of a directional radiofrequency signal via the first phased array antenna 308 a in a frequencyband comprising EHF such as 60 GHz. The third radio 307 c can beconfigured to adjust the phased transmission of radio signals via thefirst phased array antenna 308 a to control beamforming for signalreception and/or transmission.

The node 300 can comprise a second phased array antenna 308 b. Thesecond phased array antenna 308 b can be disposed adjacent a fourth face304 d of the housing 302. The fourth face 304 d can be disposed adjacentone or both of the first face 304 a and the second face 304 b of thehousing 302. The fourth face 304 d can be disposed opposite the thirdface 304 c. Other facial configurations can be used. The second phasedarray antenna 308 b can be configured to transmit and receive radiofrequency signals within a second radio frequency band. The second radiofrequency band can be the same or different from the first radiofrequency band. As an example, the second phased array antenna 308 b canbe configured to transmit and receive radio frequency signals at about60 GHz. As a further example, a fourth radio 307 d can be disposed inthe housing 302 and in communication with the second phased arrayantenna 308 b. The fourth radio 307 d can be configured to causetransmission of a directional radio frequency signal via the secondphased array antenna 308 b in a EHF frequency band such as a bandcomprising 60 GHz. The third radio 307 c can be configured to adjust thephased transmission of radio signals via the first phased array antenna308 a to control beamforming for signal reception and/or transmission.

In an aspect, a processor 310 can be disposed in the housing 302 and incommunication with one or more of the radios 307 a, 307 b, 307 c, 307 d.The processor 310, and other components of the node 300, can receiveelectrical power via a power supply 312 such as a stored energy sourceor a conduit for receiving power from an external source. The processorcan be configured to manage one or more radio frequency signalstransmitted and received via the antennas 306 a, 306 b, 308 a, 308 b. Asan example, a device (e.g., user device 102) can be configured tocommunicate with node 300 wirelessly via the first radio frequency band(e.g., 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, etc.). One or more of the planar antenna arrays306 a, 306 b can receive signals from the device, which can betransmitted to the processor 310. The processor 310 can process thereceived signals and can generate information that is transmitted to oneor more of the radios 307 c, 307 d for transmission via one or more ofthe phased array antennas 308 a, 308 b. Similarly, signals received viaone or more of the phased array antennas 308 a, 308 b can be transmittedto the processor 310. The processor 310 can process the received signalsand can generate information that is transmitted to one or more of theradios 307 a, 307 b for transmission via one or more of the planarantenna arrays 306 a, 306 b.

As an example, the node 300 can communicate data between other nodes 300via the second radio frequency band (e.g., 60 GHz) and with mobilewireless devices via the first radio frequency band. The communicationvia the second frequency band can be directional transmission, such asthrough beamforming techniques using the phased array antennas 308 a,308 b. Such a transmission can be directed to minimize signalinterference, for example, by physical barriers such as walls, movingobjects or people, and/or signal inferences. For example, as illustratedin FIG. 4A, the node 300 can be configured to provide a firsttransmission pattern 400, such as a hemispherical transmission pattern.Other transmission patterns can be formed. As a further example,multiple orbs or directional pencil transmission patterns 402, 404 canbe formed, as illustrated in FIG. 4B. Shape, size, and directionality ofthe transmissions can be controlled via the phased array antennas 308 a,308 b.

An exemplary method for configuring one or more nodes of a network isshown in FIG. 5. In operation or step 502, a first node (e.g., node 300)can be configured to provide a first transmission pattern such as abroad coverage pattern (e.g., hemispherical transmission pattern, firsttransmission pattern 400 (FIG. 4A)). The first transmission pattern canbe provided via a phased array antenna. The first transmission patterncan be broadcast over a EHF band such as a band including 60 GHz. Thefirst transmission pattern can be configured to cover a wide spatialarea (e.g., multi-directional) and to detect various signals (e.g.,beacons). Other transmission patterns can be formed.

In operation or step 504, one or more beacons can be detected via thefirst transmission pattern. The beacons can be transmitted from one ormore second nodes such as access nodes, gateways, and the like. Thebeacon can comprise a beacon frame. The beacon can comprise informationto facilitate a connection between the first node and the one or moresecond nodes. The beacon can be broadcast via various radio frequencybands (e.g., EHF, 60 GHz, etc.) to be discovered by the first node, whenthe beacon is within the first transmission pattern. As an example,internodal beacons can be exclusively broadcast over a select radiofrequency band (e.g., EHF, 60 GHz, etc.) that may not be directlyaccessible to other devices such as user devices. As a further example,messages can be sent between the access nodes and/or the gateway of anetwork to confirm when a particular beacon has been discovered and/orcommunication has been lost. Such messages can include identifiers(E.g., MAC address) of the particular node. Other information can beincluded in the internodal messages.

In operation or step 506, the first node can be configured to provide asecond transmission pattern such as a directional coverage pattern(e.g., pencil transmission patterns 402, 404 (FIG. 4B)). The secondtransmission pattern can be provided via a phased array antenna. Thesecond transmission pattern can be broadcast over an EHF band such as aband including 60 GHz. The second transmission pattern can bedynamically adjusted to optimize a signal strength between two or morenodes. As an example, the shape, size, and/or directionality of thesecond transmission pattern can be adjusted until a signal strength ismeasured above a predetermined threshold. As another example, the shape,size, and/or directionality of the second transmission pattern can beadjusted until a signal strength is maximized. As the parameters of thesecond transmission pattern are adjusted, a signal strength (e.g.,received signal strength indication (RSSI), signal-to-noise ratio, etc.)can be measured. When the signal strength exceeds a threshold, theparameters can be maintained until the signal strength is reduced, forexample via interference. As an example, signal strength may beoptimized when two directional transmissions from separate nodes arealigned to intersect. Other configuration may result in optimizationand/or exceeding a threshold of acceptable signal strength. In certainaspects, each node can execute an optimization process specific to thatnode. For example, once a first node has established a connection with asecond node, the second node may confirm optimization with the firstnode and may attempt to establish additional connections with otheraccess nodes or gateways.

In operation or step 508, the first node can transmit a confirmation toone or more nodes that a connection has been established therebetween.As such, a mesh network of two or more nodes can be dynamicallyestablished and updated to maintain optimal signal strengththerebetween, using directional beamforming. This process can berepeated for any number of access nodes and gateways. As an example,each pair of nodes/gateways can establish an optimized connection withthe other node/gateway by dynamically adjusting the directionaltransmissions. As another example, messages can be sent between theaccess nodes and/or the gateway of a network to confirm an establishedconnection and/or optimization parameters of the established connect. Asanother example, message relating to interference with the establishedinternodal connections and/or lost connections may be sent via a selectradio frequency band (e.g., EHF, 60 GHz, etc.) that may not be directlyaccessible to other devices such as user devices. In certain aspects,when a connection is interrupted or lost, one or more of the operationsdiscussed in reference to FIG. 5 can be repeated to re-establish theconnection. As an example, an offline message can be broadcast by one ormore nodes that are unable to detect other beacons. When another nodereceives the offline message, routing of the backhaul network trafficcan be adjusted based at least in part on the indication that one ormore nodes are currently offline. As the offline node comes back online,routing procedures can be adjusted again.

An exemplary method is shown in FIG. 6. In operation or step 602, firstinformation can be received or accessed via a first radio frequency. Asan example, the first radio frequency band can comprise 2.4 GHZ or 5GHZ, or both. Other frequency bands can be used. The first informationcan comprise authentication data, control data, video data, voice data,Internet bound data, etc. As an example, the first information cancomprise one or more of a device identifier associated with the sourceof the first information and authentication information. The firstinformation can be received or accessed by an access node of a firstnetwork such as a local area network (e.g., premises network). As anexample, the access node facilitates access to a second network (e.g.,wide area network) external to the first network by a source of thefirst information. As a further example, the access node can beconfigured as part of a mesh network with other access nodes and/or agateway node.

In operation or step 604, at least a portion of the first informationcan be transmitted via a second radio frequency band. The second radiofrequency band can be different from the first radio frequency band. Asan example, the second radio frequency band can comprise 60 GHz. Otherfrequencies and bands can be used. In an aspect, the access node cantransmit at least the portion of the first information to a gateway nodeof the premises network. The gateway node can be in communication withthe second network and can be configured to transmit at least theportion of the first information to the second network. As an example,at least the portion of the first information can be transmitted to thegateway node via one or more intervening access nodes. Such interveningcommunication can be via the second radio frequency band. For example, aplurality of the access nodes can be configured as a mesh network tomanage the backhaul of data to/from the gateway node, which can thenmanage data passing between the mesh network and a second network.

In operation or step 606, second information can be received or accessedvia the second radio frequency band. As an example, one or more accessnodes can receive the second information. The second information cancomprise authentication data, control data, video data, voice data,Internet bound data, etc. The second information can comprise a networkidentifier associated with the source of the first information tofacilitate communication with one or more networks. In an aspect, atleast a portion of the second information is sourced via the secondnetwork. As an example, the gateway node can receive at least a portionof the second information via the second network and can transmit atleast the portion of the second information to one or more access nodesvia the second radio frequency band. In an aspect, the communication viathe second frequency band can be directional communication, such asthrough beamforming techniques using a phased array antenna. As anexample, each of the access nodes and the gateway node can be configuredto transmit and/or receive radio signals via directional transmission.Such a transmission can be directed to minimize signal interference, forexample, by physical barriers such as walls, moving objects or people,and/or signal inferences.

In operation or step 608, at least a portion of the received secondinformation can be transmitted via the first radio frequency band. As anexample, one or more access nodes can receive the portion of the secondinformation and can transmit at least a portion of the secondinformation to a source of the first information via the first radiofrequency band.

An exemplary method is shown in FIG. 7. In operation or step 702, firstinformation can be received or accessed via a first radio frequency. Asan example, the first radio frequency band can comprise 2.4 GHZ or 5GHZ, or both. Other frequency bands can be used. The first informationcan comprise authentication data, control data, video data, voice data,Internet bound data, etc. As an example, the first information cancomprise one or more of a device identifier associated with the sourceof the first information and authentication information. The firstinformation can be received or accessed by an access node of a firstnetwork such as a local area network (e.g., premises network). As anexample, the access node facilitates access to a second network (e.g.,wide area network) external to the first network by a source of thefirst information. As a further example, the access node can beconfigured as a mesh network with other access nodes and/or a gatewaynode.

In operation or step 704, at least a portion of the first informationcan be transmitted via a directional transmission within second radiofrequency band. The second radio frequency band can be different fromthe first radio frequency band. As an example, the second radiofrequency band can comprise a EHF band such as a band including 60 GHz.Other frequencies and bands can be used. In an aspect, the access nodecan transmit at least the portion of the first information to a gatewaynode of the premises network. The gateway node can be in communicationwith the second network and can be configured to transmit at least theportion of the first information to the second network. As an example,at least the portion of the first information can be transmitted to thegateway node via one or more intervening access nodes. Such interveningcommunication can be via the second radio frequency band. For example, aplurality of the access nodes can be configured a mesh network to managethe backhaul of data to/from the gateway node, which can then managedata passing between the mesh network and a second network.Communication via the second frequency band can be directionalcommunication, such as through beamforming techniques using phased arrayantenna. As an example, each of the access nodes and the gateway nodecan be configured to transmit and/or receive radio signals viadirectional transmission. Such a transmission can be directed tominimize signal interference, for example, by physical barriers such aswalls, moving objects or people, and/or signal inferences.

In operation or step 706, interference affecting the directionaltransmission can be detected. In operation or step 708, the directionaltransmission can be adjusted to reduce the effect of the detectedinterference on the transmission of at least the portion of the firstinformation. Such adjustment can be based on a dynamic process such asthe method illustrated in FIG. 5. As an example, the directionaltransmission can be adjusted until a detected signal strength is above apredetermined threshold. Such signal strength can be measured bysignal-to-noise ratios, received signal strength indication, and orother signal strength metrics.

FIG. 8 depicts a computer that may be used in aspects, such as thecomputers depicted in FIG. 1. With regard to the example architecture ofFIG. 1, the user device 102 and the computing device 104 may each beimplemented in an instance of a computer 800 of FIG. 8. The computerarchitecture shown in FIG. 8 illustrates a conventional server computer,workstation, desktop computer, laptop, tablet, network appliance, PDA,e-reader, digital cellular phone, or other computing node, and may beutilized to execute any aspects of the computers described herein, suchas to implement the operating procedures of FIGS. 5-7.

The computer 800 may include a baseboard, or “motherboard,” which is aprinted circuit board to which a multitude of components or devices maybe connected by way of a system bus or other electrical communicationpaths. One or more central processing units (CPUs) 804 may operate inconjunction with a chipset 806. The CPUs 804 may be standardprogrammable processors that perform arithmetic and logical operationsnecessary for the operation of the computer 800.

The CPUs 804 may perform the necessary operations by transitioning fromone discrete physical state to the next through the manipulation ofswitching elements that differentiate between and change these states.Switching elements may generally include electronic circuits thatmaintain one of two binary states, such as flip-flops, and electroniccircuits that provide an output state based on the logical combinationof the states of one or more other switching elements, such as logicgates. These basic switching elements may be combined to create morecomplex logic circuits including registers, adders-subtractors,arithmetic logic units, floating-point units, and the like.

The chipset 806 may provide an interface between the CPUs 804 and theremainder of the components and devices on the baseboard. The chipset806 may provide an interface to a random access memory (RAM) 808 used asthe main memory in the computer 800. The chipset 806 may further providean interface to a computer-readable storage medium, such as a read-onlymemory (ROM) 820 or non-volatile RAM (NVRAM) (not shown), for storingbasic routines that may help to start up the computer 800 and totransfer information between the various components and devices. ROM 820or NVRAM may also store other software components necessary for theoperation of the computer 800 in accordance with the aspects describedherein.

The computer 800 may operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections to remote computing nodes and computer systems through localarea network (LAN) 816. The chipset 806 may include functionality forproviding network connectivity through a network interface controller(NIC) 822, such as a gigabit Ethernet adapter. The NIC 822 may becapable of connecting the computer 800 to other computing nodes over thenetwork 816. It should be appreciated that multiple NICs 822 may bepresent in the computer 800, connecting the computer to other types ofnetworks and remote computer systems.

The computer 800 may be connected to a mass storage device 828 thatprovides non-volatile storage for the computer. The mass storage device828 may store system programs, application programs, other programmodules, and data, which have been described in greater detail herein.The mass storage device 828 may be connected to the computer 800 througha storage controller 824 connected to the chipset 806. The mass storagedevice 828 may consist of one or more physical storage units. Thestorage controller 824 may interface with the physical storage unitsthrough a serial attached SCSI (SAS) interface, a serial advancedtechnology attachment (SATA) interface, a fiber channel (FC) interface,or other type of interface for physically connecting and transferringdata between computers and physical storage units.

The computer 800 may store data on the mass storage device 828 bytransforming the physical state of the physical storage units to reflectthe information being stored. The specific transformation of a physicalstate may depend on various factors and on different implementations ofthis description. Examples of such factors may include, but are notlimited to, the technology used to implement the physical storage unitsand whether the mass storage device 828 is characterized as primary orsecondary storage and the like.

For example, the computer 800 may store information to the mass storagedevice 828 by issuing instructions through the storage controller 824 toalter the magnetic characteristics of a particular location within amagnetic disk drive unit, the reflective or refractive characteristicsof a particular location in an optical storage unit, or the electricalcharacteristics of a particular capacitor, transistor, or other discretecomponent in a solid-state storage unit. Other transformations ofphysical media are possible without departing from the scope and spiritof the present description, with the foregoing examples provided only tofacilitate this description. The computer 800 may further readinformation from the mass storage device 828 by detecting the physicalstates or characteristics of one or more particular locations within thephysical storage units.

In addition to the mass storage device 828 described above, the computer800 may have access to other computer-readable storage media to storeand retrieve information, such as program modules, data structures, orother data. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art thatcomputer-readable storage media can be any available media that providesfor the storage of non-transitory data and that may be accessed by thecomputer 800.

By way of example and not limitation, computer-readable storage mediamay include volatile and non-volatile, transitory computer-readablestorage media and non-transitory computer-readable storage media, andremovable and non-removable media implemented in any method ortechnology. Computer-readable storage media includes, but is not limitedto, RAM, ROM, erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasableprogrammable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory or other solid-state memorytechnology, compact disc ROM (CD-ROM), digital versatile disk (DVD),high definition DVD (HD-DVD), BLU-RAY, or other optical storage,magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage, other magneticstorage devices, or any other medium that can may be used to store thedesired information in a non-transitory fashion.

The mass storage device 828 may store an operating system utilized tocontrol the operation of the computer 800. According to one embodiment,the operating system comprises a version of the LINUX operating system.According to another embodiment, the operating system comprises aversion of the WINDOWS SERVER operating system from the MICROSOFTCorporation. According to further aspects, the operating system maycomprise a version of the UNIX operating system. It should beappreciated that other operating systems may also be utilized. The massstorage device 828 may store other system or application programs anddata utilized by the computer 800, such as the management component 810and/or the other software components described above.

The mass storage device 828 or other computer-readable storage media mayalso be encoded with computer-executable instructions, which, whenloaded into the computer 800, transforms the computer from ageneral-purpose computing system into a special-purpose computer capableof implementing the aspects described herein. These computer-executableinstructions transform the computer 800 by specifying how the CPUs 804transition between states, as described above. The computer 800 may haveaccess to computer-readable storage media storing computer-executableinstructions, which, when executed by the computer 800, may performoperating procedures depicted in FIGS. 5-7.

The computer 800 may also include an input/output controller 832 forreceiving and processing input from a number of input devices, such as akeyboard, a mouse, a touchpad, a touch screen, an electronic stylus, orother type of input device. Similarly, the input/output controller 832may provide output to a display, such as a computer monitor, aflat-panel display, a digital projector, a printer, a plotter, or othertype of output device. It will be appreciated that the computer 800 maynot include all of the components shown in FIG. 8, may include othercomponents that are not explicitly shown in FIG. 8, or may utilize anarchitecture completely different than that shown in FIG. 8.

As described herein, a computing node may be a physical computing node,such as the computer 800 of FIG. 8. A computing node may also be avirtual computing node, such as a virtual machine instance, or a sessionhosted by a physical computing node, where the computing node isconfigured to host one or more sessions concurrently.

It is to be understood that the methods and systems are not limited tospecific methods, specific components, or to particular implementations.It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for thepurpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended tobe limiting.

As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms“a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” oneparticular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When sucha range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the oneparticular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, whenvalues are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent“about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms anotherembodiment. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each ofthe ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, andindependently of the other endpoint.

“Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described eventor circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includesinstances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where itdoes not.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the word“comprise” and variations of the word, such as “comprising” and“comprises,” means “including but not limited to,” and is not intendedto exclude, for example, other components, integers or steps.“Exemplary” means “an example of” and is not intended to convey anindication of a preferred or ideal embodiment. “Such as” is not used ina restrictive sense, but for explanatory purposes.

Disclosed are components that can be used to perform the disclosedmethods and systems. These and other components are disclosed herein,and it is understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions,groups, etc. of these components are disclosed that while specificreference of each various individual and collective combinations andpermutation of these may not be explicitly disclosed, each isspecifically contemplated and described herein, for all methods andsystems. This applies to all aspects of this application including, butnot limited to, operations in disclosed methods. Thus, if there are avariety of additional operations that can be performed it is understoodthat each of these additional operations can be performed with anyspecific embodiment or combination of embodiments of the disclosedmethods.

The present methods and systems may be understood more readily byreference to the following detailed description of preferred embodimentsand the examples included therein and to the Figures and their previousand following description.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the methods andsystems may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, anentirely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software andhardware aspects. Furthermore, the methods and systems may take the formof a computer program product on a computer-readable storage mediumhaving computer-readable program instructions (e.g., computer software)embodied in the storage medium. More particularly, the present methodsand systems may take the form of web-implemented computer software. Anysuitable computer-readable storage medium may be utilized including harddisks, CD-ROMs, optical storage devices, or magnetic storage devices.

Embodiments of the methods and systems are described below withreference to block diagrams and flowchart illustrations of methods,systems, apparatuses and computer program products. It will beunderstood that each block of the block diagrams and flowchartillustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams andflowchart illustrations, respectively, can be implemented by computerprogram instructions. These computer program instructions may be loadedon a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such thatthe instructions which execute on the computer or other programmabledata processing apparatus create a means for implementing the functionsspecified in the flowchart block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in acomputer-readable memory that can direct a computer or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readablememory produce an article of manufacture including computer-readableinstructions for implementing the function specified in the flowchartblock or blocks. The computer program instructions may also be loadedonto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or otherprogrammable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process suchthat the instructions that execute on the computer or other programmableapparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in theflowchart block or blocks.

The various features and processes described above may be usedindependently of one another, or may be combined in various ways. Allpossible combinations and sub-combinations are intended to fall withinthe scope of this disclosure. In addition, certain methods or processblocks may be omitted in some implementations. The methods and processesdescribed herein are also not limited to any particular sequence, andthe blocks or states relating thereto can be performed in othersequences that are appropriate. For example, described blocks or statesmay be performed in an order other than that specifically disclosed, ormultiple blocks or states may be combined in a single block or state.The example blocks or states may be performed in serial, in parallel, orin some other manner. Blocks or states may be added to or removed fromthe disclosed example embodiments. The example systems and componentsdescribed herein may be configured differently than described. Forexample, elements may be added to, removed from, or rearranged comparedto the disclosed example embodiments.

It will also be appreciated that various items are illustrated as beingstored in memory or on storage while being used, and that these items orportions thereof may be transferred between memory and other storagedevices for purposes of memory management and data integrity.Alternatively, in other embodiments some or all of the software modulesand/or systems may execute in memory on another device and communicatewith the illustrated computing systems via inter-computer communication.Furthermore, in some embodiments, some or all of the systems and/ormodules may be implemented or provided in other ways, such as at leastpartially in firmware and/or hardware, including, but not limited to,one or more application-specific integrated circuits (“ASICs”), standardintegrated circuits, controllers (e.g., by executing appropriateinstructions, and including microcontrollers and/or embeddedcontrollers), field-programmable gate arrays (“FPGAs”), complexprogrammable logic devices (“CPLDs”), etc. Some or all of the modules,systems and data structures may also be stored (e.g., as softwareinstructions or structured data) on a computer-readable medium, such asa hard disk, a memory, a network, or a portable media article to be readby an appropriate device or via an appropriate connection. The systems,modules and data structures may also be transmitted as generated datasignals (e.g., as part of a carrier wave or other analog or digitalpropagated signal) on a variety of computer-readable transmission media,including wireless-based and wired/cable-based media, and may take avariety of forms (e.g., as part of a single or multiplexed analogsignal, or as multiple discrete digital packets or frames). Suchcomputer program products may also take other forms in otherembodiments. Accordingly, the present invention may be practiced withother computer system configurations.

While the methods and systems have been described in connection withpreferred embodiments and specific examples, it is not intended that thescope be limited to the particular embodiments set forth, as theembodiments herein are intended in all respects to be illustrativerather than restrictive.

Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that anymethod set forth herein be construed as requiring that its operations beperformed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method claim doesnot actually recite an order to be followed by its operations or it isnot otherwise specifically stated in the claims or descriptions that theoperations are to be limited to a specific order, it is no way intendedthat an order be inferred, in any respect. This holds for any possiblenon-express basis for interpretation, including: matters of logic withrespect to arrangement of steps or operational flow; plain meaningderived from grammatical organization or punctuation; the number or typeof embodiments described in the specification.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made without departing from thescope or spirit. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled inthe art from consideration of the specification and practice disclosedherein. It is intended that the specification and examples be consideredas exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit being indicated by thefollowing claims.

1. A method comprising: receiving, from at least one user device and viaa first communication channel, first information, wherein each of aplurality of access nodes located at a premises is configured tocommunicate with each other via a second communication channel differentfrom the first communication channel; and sending to a second accessnode of the plurality of access nodes and via the second communicationchannel using a first directional beamforming transmission at thepremises, the first information, wherein the second access node isconfigured to send, to a gateway node and via the second communicationchannel using a second directional beamforming transmission at thepremises, the first information, wherein the gateway node is configuredto communicate with a second network.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereinthe second communication channel comprises an extremely high frequency(EHF) band.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second access node isconfigured to send, to the gateway node and via the second communicationchannel, the first information by forming a transmission using a phasedarray antenna to direct the transmission of the first information to thegateway node.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the phased array antennais configured to adjust the formed transmission to reduce detectedinterference.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein sending, via the secondcommunication channel, the first information comprises sending at leasta portion of the first information to the gateway node via one or moreintervening access nodes of the plurality of access nodes of a premiseswireless mesh network.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the user deviceis not configured to communicate, via the first communication channel,directly with the gateway node.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein thefirst access node is further configured to receive second informationfrom the gateway node via the second communication channel.
 8. Themethod of claim 7, wherein the first access node is further configuredto send, to the user device and via the first communication channel, atleast a portion of the second information.
 9. A system comprising: atleast one user device; and a plurality of access nodes located at apremises, wherein a first access node of the plurality of access nodesis configured to: receive, from the at least one user device and via afirst communication channel, first information, wherein each of theplurality of access nodes is configured to communicate with each othervia a second communication channel different from the firstcommunication channel; send to a second access node of the plurality ofaccess nodes and via the second communication channel using a firstdirectional beamforming transmission at the premises, the firstinformation and wherein the second access node is configured to: send,to a gateway node and via the second communication channel using asecond directional beamforming transmission at the premises, the firstinformation, wherein the gateway node is configured to communicate witha second network.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the secondcommunication channel comprises an extremely high frequency (EHF) band.11. The system of claim 9, wherein the second access node is configuredto send, to the gateway node and via the second communication channel,the first information by forming a transmission using a phased arrayantenna to direct the transmission of the first information to thegateway node.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the phased arrayantenna is configured to: adjust the formed transmission to reducedetected interference.
 13. The system of claim 9, wherein sending, viathe second communication channel, the first information comprisessending at least a portion of the first information to the gateway nodevia one or more intervening access nodes of the plurality of accessnodes of a premises wireless mesh network.
 14. The system of claim 9,wherein the user device is not configured to communicate, via the firstcommunication channel, directly with the gateway node.
 15. The system ofclaim 9, wherein the first access node is further configured to receivesecond information from the gateway node via the second communicationchannel.
 16. The system of claim 9, wherein the first access node isfurther configured to send, to the user device and via the firstcommunication channel, at least a portion of the second information. 17.A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that,when executed, cause: receiving, from at least one user device and via afirst communication channel, first information, wherein each of aplurality of access nodes located at a premises is configured tocommunicate with each other via a second communication channel differentfrom the first communication channel; and sending to a second accessnode of the plurality of access nodes and via the second communicationchannel using a first directional beamforming transmission at thepremises, the first information, wherein the second access node isconfigured to send, to a gateway node and via the second communicationchannel using a second directional beamforming transmission at thepremises, the first information, wherein the gateway node is configuredto communicate with a second network.
 18. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the second communicationchannel comprises an extremely high frequency (EHF) band.
 19. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the secondaccess node is configured to send, to the gateway node and via thesecond communication channel, the first information by forming atransmission using a phased array antenna to direct the transmission ofthe first information to the gateway node.
 20. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 19, wherein the phased array antennais configured to adjust the formed transmission to reduce detectedinterference.
 21. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim17, wherein sending, via the second communication channel, the firstinformation comprises sending at least a portion of the firstinformation to the gateway node via one or more intervening access nodesof the plurality of access nodes of a premises wireless mesh network.22. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein theuser device is not configured to communicate, via the firstcommunication channel, directly with the gateway node.
 23. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the firstaccess node is further configured to receive second information from thegateway node via the second communication channel.
 24. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 23, wherein the firstaccess node is further configured to send, to the user device and viathe first communication channel, at least a portion of the secondinformation.